Utsushi - in search of Katsuhira's tiger. Part 1

[@xSHYxSHYx]

I’ve been watching your videos for 4 or 5 years now, and I alway come back to rewatch this series as it’s so inspiring and calming. Thanks for everything I have learned from your videos and everything I will continue to learn. Rest in peace.

[@greyone308]

RIP Ford. You were a master teacher to thousands.

[@StuffUCanMake]

Once in a while in the dense forests of KZbin I come across a true gem like your channel and I feel sad. I am sad that it took me this long to know such a gold mine. Thank you, I will be regular here!

[@dennischavez7503]

You are a true master craftsmen, and it was a pleasure to have a glimpse into your working process.

[@bestrongbekind]

凄いクオリティですね。　素晴らしい職人！　　I like this video!　

[@FordHallam]

@metal666micky Glad you enjoyed the film. I have to add, though, that I'm not quite THAT obsessive as to polish the edges of the plate if there was no reason to. ;-) What you can see is actually merely the hammered edge :-) Polishing the plate itself only took a couple of hours really and from the point of view of then being able to properly asses the colour, grain structure and to be able to check for flaws it's a small investment in time. A craftsman should strive to be pragmatic. :-)

[@JerryMouse5]

これは凄いと言わざる得ない。 Part2も是非とも見るべき。 素直に感動した！ Amazing & beautiful!

[@Four9sFineJewelry]

Just... wow. Please, don’t stop sharing your incredible artistry. I’m sure there are more out there like me that not only truly appreciate your absolute attention to historical detail, but are trying to learn it for themselves.

[@BFArch0n]

So much time and effort for one small piece...amazing.

[@MitsubishiNiigata]

Fordさんの緻密で繊細なお仕事に感銘を受けました！ 本当に素晴らしいと思うとともに、これから益々良い作品が生まれる事を期待しております！ これからも体に気を付けて頑張って下さいね！ from Japan!

[@KickAssJeweler]

I could watch this forever! I'm taking a mokume-gane class with Chris Ploof this weekend and had high praise for you.. I remembered seeing these videos a couple years ago... I love this work!!

[@FordHallam]

@MrGoldsmith2000 Hi, experience I suppose...the 'mould' is simply some canvas hanging a bit like a hammock. Unfortunately there are no books available on the subject...yet. I do hope to be able to spend some time documenting the tradition though.

[@AnthonySforza]

Oh man, I was on the verge of passing out and figured I'd watch a couple minutes to see what the video is about, then catch the rest later. Then I made it through the whole video before I knew it and looking forward to the next one.

[@FordHallam]

Hi Russell Thank you. The tsuba I made was signed " Hagiya Katsuhira Utsushi" ( ie; Hagia Katsuhira copy/study) on one side of the central oval space and with my own signature "Fo O do" on the other side. If I were to make forgeries I'd be much more discreet about how I did it ;-)

[@kafusfv]

amazing work. The sword that received this Tsuba..is truly proud to wear it.

[@arickirsch5527]

Rest in peace Ford. You will be missed by so many

[@alonsocushing2398]

A true craftsman. So exquisite.

[@TheMacAriS]

Thank you, to let us see these amazing pieces, reflections of talent and skills of old times and today's. Every time wondering how great skills they had in those days. Excellent craftsmanship You have in Your hands.

[@FordHallam]

Hello Michael, the earliest tsuba were pierced by means of carving but by the start of the Edo period (1600's) it's clear from the tool marks we can often still see inside the cut outs that some form of saw had been developed.

[@354e2]

四分一の地金から再現しての写しを造っていくのは本当に大変な仕事ですね 　私も後藤隆乗や奈良利永の鍔を持って居ますが、顕微鏡を使って見て、初めて判る図柄と細かな鏨の後が有る事に本当に驚かされます あなたの鏨運びは見事で、鍔製作の仕事に対する姿勢も立派ですね✨

[@Metallurg33]

Amazing & beautiful! Thank you for sharing part of the creative process.

[@scottturchin7453]

I will never be able to do something so advanced but your video has inspired me to make my own Seppa. I was already good with making Tsuka but now I want to make my own Tsuba of basic design....your instructional videos are awesome!

[@FordHallam]

Glad I could help!

[@dwightpilkilton7870]

Just incredible work, I love the sincerity you show for the artist

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

You have an obsessive attention to detail which I find inspiring. Eg, when polishing the metal after initial hammering, you polish the sides which you know will only be cut off in the near future. A fantastic insight into the workings of a craftsman. Many thanks to both yourself and your client/sponsor for sharing. It seems watching your process is far more rewarding than someone watching me code a software program for four months :)

[@Xartab]

Stunning work.

[@TheCelticGoldsmith]

Wow fantastic. Very pleasing to watch!

[@FordHallam]

This is from a recent interview I did. "It’s most likely early metal workers used a bow saw with a wire ‘blade’ and some form of abrasive grit. Italian Pietra Dura artisans (stone mosaic) still use this method today, as did Ancient Chinese Jade carvers. At some point, probably in the early Edo period, metal saw blades were developed. We have no literary or archeological evidence though so this is just speculation for now."

[@DavideServolini]

I have no words, simply I like your work, with all details, your lab and your tools ;)

[@johnkirkland621]

Beautiful...Thanks for bringing this to us.

[@FordHallam]

@mithelm Thank you for your generous compliment. Sorry, I don't know the name of that sax track. It was Non-copyright music ...

[@romandybala]

2022 here. I dont have words to express how this work moves me.

[@bryangrossman]

I have always loved metal work in all its forms... To take raw material and then quite literally bend it to your will and create something like this... amazing. I am humbled by the level of skill and care being displayed here.... I am quite jealous sir. It must be very satisfying to rejoice in the completion of a piece like this.... You are truly a master at your art.... It's sad that skills like these are disappearing....

[@rockinmetalsmith]

Amazing video, the last comment was gold though! thats how i feel everytime i pick up the saw frame after starting a big project. cant wait watch part two, which will be happening right after this comment.

[@laugh0518]

まさか海外に腰元職人がいようとは・・・ まさに海外の浜野矩随！！すばらしい！！

[@MultiBegbeg]

Bonjour , c est magnifique !!!!!! , je me suis mi a fabriquer un Habaki modestement . J ai aussi une petite collection de Stuba ! .

[@howardschechter]

I have two water of are stones in my collection of hones. First time I've seen them used by anyone! I'm pretty good with waterstones but Ford's work is brilliant.

[@Walkerofdeepsleep]

absolutely mesmerizing, such a beautiful art. I hope to learn to do this someday

[@tomxana]

I've just finished watching part 1 and I'm absolutely amazed by this... Very very good! Congratulations on such a superb job.

[@thefamily_ak1863]

True blessing 2 have found your channel , ty 4 sharing your skills

[@Andrew-kd1wk]

Stunning work...the film was meditative and calming. I didn't know Clive had such a talented brother :)

[@wraithkiss]

My mind is blown. Its amazing.

[@FordHallam]

@Burlokk Yes, it's one of those odd things that almost everyone tends overlook but in fact magnifying lenses were available in Japan from the late 1500's. The first most probably brought to Japan by Portuguese traders. The reality is simple, if you can't see it you can't do it. Ancient Roman seal rings display remarkable fine engravings and these too would have been impossible without the aid of magnifying lenses.

[@LANKRADSA]

Great work and great film, pleasure to watch ;-)

[@OdedFriedGaon]

INCREDIBLY INTERESTING!

[@FrancisBeanBlades]

Jeweler's saws are a fairly modern invention. In Katsuhira's original work, I assume the piercework would have been done with chisels? (As opposed to casting with the holes, which wouldn't work with water-casting anyway.)

[@FordHallam]

@UzbeKot They're standard jeweller's piercing saw blades. They can be found though any jewellery tool supply store, there are loads on-line too. Jewellers tend to use 0/2 and 0/3 for most typical work. I

[@2009kenzo]

画面に釘付けになった。素晴らし、感動したよ！

[@monkeyzeetube]

beautiful work ...

[@doug12341988]

beautiful work.

[@FordHallam]

@TrackFourtyFour Cheers! praise indeed. My son's will be very impressed ;-)

[@FenerAttack]

truly beautiful, wow

[@masanobuito7580]

Thank you for keeping tradition I respect you. 敬愛をこめて・・・日本人より

[@fernandoferreirobr]

Very Nice!!!

[@SmashChopBeat]

アメージング！ いやマジで超絶技巧。執念か。

[@rayromanov]

I can only believe the (currently) 18 downvotes were from people who missed the upvote button, because I refuse to believe there's anyone able to dislike this video, or any of Mr. Hallam's videos for that matter.

[@FordHallam]

Thank you for that. I assume those down votes are from people who just really need a hug.

[@SmashChopBeat]

@ironbrush Thank you for information of exhibition. I want to go to appreciate ur exhibition at all costs. 絶対見に行きます。

[@nc622x]

I have no words to describe how marvelous your work is. It's fascinating to see someone of completely different origin practicing the old tradition of a distant country. Watching your video made me recall of a Japanese man, a craftsman of western middle age armors. mazumunu.seesaa.net/article/234700391.html As far as I know, the tradition of making an armor has been lost long ago in the west (unlike in Japan). So this man had to improvise and deduce how the old craftsman thought, just like the quote you mentioned in the video "don't seek to copy the ancient, rather seek what they thought". I think that's the true modern spirit of craftsmanship. Kudos to all of your kind.

[@bjf10]

Wow! Such control with the chisel, I have enough trouble with my hand engravers, I can't imagine using a hammer. :-)

[@MetalDesignOrn]

Вы разговариваете по Русски? Я просто в восторге от вашей работы. (sorry it's been a long time since I wrote in Russian)

[@FordHallam]

@MichiganFlyfisher The first book, the one with the other Katsuhira pair, is the catalogue of the Compton Collection. I wouldn't recommend it as a general overview book though. The other book is even more specialised, focussing on 2 artists of the Higo tradition. The Boston Museum of Art produced a good starter book a few years ago; Lethal Elegance. Their website also has a database of over 3000 sword fittings beautifully illustrated, well worth a look.

[@FordHallam]

@bryangrossman Thank you for your kind comments. I'm doing what I can to help others learn these methods and to develop similar skills so all is not lost yet ;-)

[@djtreq]

Truly exquisite and phenomenal... I am awestruck in so many dimensions that searching for further words would be pointless. May I ask, how many hours did you invest into crafting this amazing work of art?

[@FordHallam]

Sorry but I don't know the titles of any of the music. That part was applied by the sound mixer when the film was edited.

[@aakazya]

Hello Mr. Hallam. can you tell me please, in what kind of substance you have consolidated ingot? Thanks.

[@sidneypendergrass9688]

I was wondering how do a person get the tools to make sword guards.

[@SimpleUser11]

It is AMAZING!!!

[@SuperWalker1989]

stunning work, what is the one in the box you are copying? why doesn't it have a back you can look at

[@MichiganFlyfisher]

What is the fitting book you are referencing to? I have been looking for books similar to this but have had minimal luck. If you dont mind that is.

[@Burlokk]

Even if they possessed the craftsmanship, how on earth were they able to see those tiny details? Did they use a magnifying glass?

[@dominik1023]

Just out of curiosity - what if you were to pour it into oil? (aside from the possibility of a kitchen fire)

[@ferstuck37]

You have probably answered this question but is it Swedish pitch that you use to hold they piece in place when working. It looks like the stuff I used to attach lens to a form for polishing.:)

[@malakiblunt]

wonderful

[@deusns]

Hi Mr. Hallam, your work is astonishing! I'm amazed, and i fell in love with this kind of art... I'm bladesmith, and before i watched this video i never gave much attention to other parts of knives/sword beside blades... And now, i'm grateful that you exist, and that you are so kind to put this beautiful video on internet... I hope your children will follow your footsteps to become great artists like their father :))) ... Can i ask you what are you using for Tsuba patination? (if its not secret)

[@lunchtraytm427]

Curious about the saw blade you are using, what is the size for such a thick piece?

[@zewsmego647]

Очень круто!!!! особенно если учесть что все это ручной труд.... СУПЕР!!!!

[@southerndime333]

a man who mattered .

[@deathknightmaster424]

I have recently started forging and have crafted my first knife. I would very much like your opinion of it even though your specialty is tsuba. P.s. Your work is freaking amazing!

[@vladimirpoutine4140]

Man, this is so long ago but please if you could reference those two books around 2 minutes. I would be very grateful!

[@Pluz65]

SUPER

[@Drummer1000George]

thanks!

[@MrGoldsmith2000]

Thank you so much for posting this video. How did you manage to pour such a perfect ingot by pouring the shibuichi into water? Was there some structure underneath to make it form into a disc? Is there a book in English that covers Japanese metal working techniques? If not I think you're immanently qualified to write one.

[@anthonycheek14]

Mr. Hallam have you ever thought about training an apprentice ? Because I would be very interested

[@FordHallam]

wannabe apprentices today seem to value their own opinions and needs far too much and are too self indulgent to allow themselves to receive any meaningful training so for now I've given up my search. Skins seem also to be much thinner than when I trained ;-)

[@anthonycheek14]

@@FordHallam ok sorry to bother you

[@johannesmartinezcalzada9974]

how much of the added lead stays in the piece? And how much did you inhale and absorb while scrapping?

[@FordHallam]

+johannes martinez calzada as long as the melt is done in a reduced atmosphere the lead doesn't form oxides and burn off. Lead only vaporises at over 1700 degrees C so far beyond the capabilities of my furnace. So in answer to your question; all the lead stays in the alloy and I inhaled and absorbed none while working it. Thanks for the concern though.

[@クロシロ-x8n]

作業されるお姿に惚れ惚れいたしますね、とても美しい

[@UzbeKot]

Mr. Hallam, can you tell me please, what kind of saw blades do you use at 6:38? I've failed to find anything like those in my city. And thank you for your art. It's really inspiring :)

[@FordHallam]

thanks for that.

[@FordHallam]

спасибо

[@mugennkokka]

すばらしい！

[@umeniesila2012]

Master high-end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mortarsquad12]

what did the finished weight end up being?

[@andrewherring9468]

Can you make for tsuba videos like this mr ford

[@doncurtis1829]

Can you give the title of the book you use that has the Tsuba's in it? Can you recommend any and all titles of books that reference Samurai sward guards?

[@FordHallam]

The book is One Hundred Masterpieces from the Compton Collection. I couldn't possible all the books that reference tsuba, the subject is far too complex. Most are in Japanese anyway. Try amazon.

[@doncurtis1829]

Ford Hallam Thank you. As a western engraver I was intriged with with the process and the end result. So being the curious type I was looking for books that depict good pictures to study the the form from. Balance of design and balance of various metals... Very much a fan of your work.

[@FrackleRackle]

what music (guitar) is playing in the backround @8:57?

[@thinkclearly300]

Hey Ford, where do you source your Water of Ayr stones these days? Cheers mate.

[@FordHallam]

they ocassionaly come up on ebay at horribly inflated prices.

[@diclo383]

Ford Hallam can you please suggest an alternative?

[@FordHallam]

@johnlopez123 To remove any rough spots that may otherwise have worked into the ingot during forging and then created pitting or tiny pockets in the surface of the final plate., There's no nickel in the alloy.

[@FordHallam]

@glideonglide 励ましのお言葉をいただきありがとうございます。私は最善を尽くしてまいります。

[@Drummer1000George]

what is the intro music on guitar?

[@FordHallam]

@SmashChopBeat どうもありがとう。

[@FordHallam]

Спасибо. Нет, извините, я использую Google Переводчик

[@FordHallam]

@mitsuhirotsukuda 温かいお言葉をいただきありがとうございます。私は再び日本を訪問できるようになるとき、私はわからないが、私は展覧会を整理することができる午前とき、私はインターネットで、ここや他の発表を行います。